Want a Carry Permit in L.A.? Try paying off the Sheriff

LA Weekly is exposing a very troubling goings-on in L.A. County… something that the rest of the world has known about for some time… if you want a concealed weapons permit on Sheriff Lee Baca’s watch you better get ready to write a check.

Here is what the statistics look like… As of May 2012, out of the 10 million people that live in L.A. County only 341 people have carry permits. Thats a stark difference when compared to other nearby counties. San Bernardino County has 1,754 permit holders in 2011 with a population of only 2 million people. Kern County has 3,564 permit holders but only a population of 800,000 people.

Why the discrepancy? Because the Sheriff of L.A. County has total and complete say over who gets a carry permit. Its whats know as “may issue”. Whats the problem with that? Well, lets just say you better be well connected if you want to get approved… or you better get out your checkbook:

In L.A. County, records show, most of the permits go to judges and reserve deputies. But there is another group that seems to have better luck than most in obtaining permits: friends of Lee Baca. Those who’ve given the sheriff gifts or donated to his campaign are disproportionately represented on the roster of permit holders.

In fact, more than two dozen people who have given gifts or campaign contributions to the sheriff also have gun permits. More than one out of every 10 permits issued to civilians went to people on Baca’s gift list.

Shameful… And if this doesnt qualify as a reason for him to be removed from office, then I dont know what does.